Nicholas has been criticized for overplaying the family card--i.e., using his attractive children in numerous "photo ops"--for reasons of public relations. However, since he was honest in his love for his children, I can't "ding" him too extensively for this.
Royals almost always have realized that their job is, in large part, one of public relations. Nicholas was understandably proud of his family and his "family values," and to quote the lyrics of a classic song, "You've got to accentuate the positive . . . " (Or, an even older chestnut from my Sunday School days: "Hide it [one's light] under a bushel? No! I'm going to let it shine!") The public seemed to enjoy images of the Imperial Family, and I think it was a fairly harmless thing to do . . . tho' personally speaking, I would have been terribly bored by all those photo sessions!